NSW FARMERS have launched an eight-point reform plan for agriculture and regional NSW as the state looks to recover and rebuild economically from the COVID-19 crisis.
As an annual contributor of about $11.9 billion to the NSW economy, agriculture would be a key industry driving the recovery process, according to the peak farming body.
NSW Farmers' President James Jackson last week said while agriculture could help NSW recoup recent economic losses, there is potential for the industry to add even more if certain barriers to growth are minimised or removed.
Mr Jackson said agriculture had played a key role during the crisis and it would also be critical in the aftermath.
"Export 'engine' industries - like agriculture, food and fibre - will play a critical role in bringing in income from overseas to Australia to enable us to pay down government debts and rebuild our economy - the faster we grow our export industries, the less debt we will be passin...